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Nursery at Chinley Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Treasure hunts made maps useful to children at Chinley Primary School’s nursery, inspectors recorded in June 2023. They described storytelling and learning through play in this school-attached provision, where children join from age three. The example shows learning through doing: a shared hunt gives an early geographical idea a practical purpose and a reason to work together.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning to children’s experiences. Understanding the World brings together exploration of their surroundings, their community and the past. Stories, factual books, songs and rhymes provide starting points; talking about familiar experiences helps children build vocabulary and compare life now with life in the past. These are early conversations about how the world works.
Art gives children another way to communicate. The early years curriculum includes experimenting with materials and techniques, developing an idea over time and making things together. Children also explain how they made their creations. The activity therefore extends beyond producing a picture or object: sharing resources and describing a process are part of the learning.
Mathematics has a similarly concrete focus. Early years teaching centres on understanding numbers to 10, recognising relationships and patterns, and developing spatial reasoning. The school’s mastery approach begins in early years, so the emphasis is on understanding ideas and discussing them. Its mathematics guidance also connects outdoor learning with making marks, measurement and exploring position or direction.
Science sits within Understanding the World. Exploring and observing people, places, technology and the environment gives children ways to investigate familiar surroundings. Across these activities, play carries a learning purpose.
The June 2023 inspection called for clearer decisions about what to teach and assess in less developed parts of the school’s curriculum. This was a school-wide improvement action.
In June 2023, Ofsted found that early years relationships and established routines helped children become more independent. Adults planned play with the next stage of learning in mind. For a nursery child, that connects everyday habits with growing confidence in doing things for themselves.
Personal and social learning also has a named framework: Character Education, designed by Birmingham University. The curriculum links this approach with the Foundation Stage’s personal, social and emotional development goals. Caring, patience and cooperation are among its themes, giving children language for thinking about how they treat other people.
Attending Chinley’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The school directs admissions applications to Derbyshire County Council’s online Admissions Service. Treat choosing a nursery place and applying for Reception as separate decisions.
Nursery enquiries can go through the school office on 01663 750367 or enquiries@chinley.derbyshire.sch.uk. The admissions page includes a Nursery Expression of Interest Form, providing a starting point for families considering the provision. The nursery is part of Chinley Primary School on Buxton Road, Chinley, SK23 6DR.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
In June 2023, inspectors recorded nursery children exploring maps by searching for treasure together. They also described children listening to stories.
It focuses on understanding numbers to 10, number patterns and relationships, and spatial reasoning.
The EYFS art curriculum includes experimenting with materials, developing ideas, creating together and explaining how something was made.
Contact the school office on 01663 750367 or email enquiries@chinley.derbyshire.sch.uk. The admissions page includes a Nursery Expression of Interest Form.
